Second Sunday of Easter C 2022

INTRO:

I have had it mentioned to me several times by all sorts of people:
“I feel like I’m losing my faith.”

People would say that they have had an intimate relationship with God, but now they feel empty inside, and have even begun to question whether God exists at all.

I get dismayed when I hear this, but IT can happen to us. It obviously happened to THOMAS, called DOUBTING THOMAS as we heard in today’s Gospel!!!

My friends, our spiritual lives, our spiritual connections are always in flux, UP and DOWN, so to speak; sometimes HIGH, sometimes LOW. Usually associated to what is going on in the world!
The good news is that many people I have talked to over the years have come through their times of doubt to have a faith more vibrant than ever before; in fact, it seems like the worst periods of spiritual confusion or doubt often precede the most amazing spiritual transformations.

What is significant when someone says,
“I feel like I am losing my faith,”
believe it or not, would be a good confession, with a strong examination of conscience.

NOT THAT YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG, but that YOU WANT AND NEED THE EMBRACE AND COMFORT OF JESUS which is prominent in this sacramental encounter. This is often overlooked or just not taught that well to us.

Going to confession is MORE about experiencing the encounter with JESUS than the telling of sins.

The encounter that THOMAS had with JESUS is telling us the same thing. HIS ENCOUNTER CAUSED him to exclaim,
“MY LORD AND MY GOD!”

He experienced the Risen Lord, Jesus himself raised from the dead.
So, to anyone who is experiencing difficulties in your faith life: do not lose heart and know that I will be praying for you as well.

Following the example of DOUBTING THOMAS, you are encouraged today to experience the REAL PRESENCE of JESUS through that great sacrament of RECONCILIATION. Do not be afraid nor negligent of this sacrament.

Jesus wants to be with you, giving you his PEACE and in a way is calling on you to approach him to put your hand into his side and your finger in his wounds; to have a REAL ENCOUNTER

CONCLUSION:

In a few moments we will be gifted with the EUCHARIST, JESUS himself. Keep your belief in HIM when you receive today and TRUST in HIM.